Prepayment-meter.



No. 859,284. PATENTED JULY 9, 1907. F. P. COX & A. A. BALL.

PREPAYMENT METER.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 26,1897.

\ 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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\A/ITNESES- I pk/ENTERS 'k -qsv CV7 -S OM, Q (191k 30-h. Hm w f No. 859,284. PATENTED JULY 9, 1907.

r. P, 00x & A. A. BALL.

PREPA YMBN T METER. APPLICATION FILED HAY 26,1897.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

: UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK P. COX AND AUGUSTUS A. BALL, OF LYNN, MASSAOHUSETTS, ASSIGNORS TO GENERAL. ELECTRIC COMPANY, OF SCHENEOTADY, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK rREPAYMEN'r-METER.

Patented July 9,1907.

Application filed May at, 189 7. Serial at. 638,242.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, FRANK P. Cox and AUGUSTUS A. BALL, citizens of the United States, residing at Lynn, .in the county of Essex, State of Massachusetts, have a'nvent'ed certain new and useful Improvements in Prepayment-Meters, of which the following is a specification. v I

The present invention'relates to prepayment electric meters employed in measuring in volt, ampere or watt hours the consumption of energy in electric circuits.

The object ofthe invention is to provide an electric meter such that the consumer may, by the insertion of a coin orcoins of the proper size into the meter, receive a certain amount'of electric energy and which will,

after the prepaid amount of energy has been consumed,

automatically interrupt the consumption circuit.

In the accompanying drawings attached to and made a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a front elevation of an electric meter embodying our invention; Fig. 2

is a partial rear elevation; Fig. 3 is a plan view of the switch and operating device; Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the switch mechanism taken on the line 55 of Fig. 2; Fig. 6 is a sectional detail showing the dial support, a'nd'Fig. 7 is a diagram of the circuit connections.

'The'invention is shown as applied to a well-known Thomson watt meter, in which A represents the fieldmagnet coils, B the rotating armature, and D a copper -disk revolving wthin the field of stationary magnets E,

and forming a magnetic damper.

Upon the upper end of the armature shaft F is a worm F? meshing with the worm wheel F which in turn is geared to the hand F .Surrounding the meter and inclosing all the parts with the exception of the ,coin chute L and the sliding piece J, is a casing X (shown in dotted lines).

Thusfar the construction is very similar to a standard watt meter, but instead of the usual stationary dial a rotary dial G is employed.- Referring to Fig. 6, the means for supporting the dial will be explained.

, Secured to the frame H is a stud I having a shoulder upon which is supportedthe dial G, so arranged that it is free to rotate; The outer end of the stud I is screwthreaded afida nut I holds the dial, in place. Ex-' tending through the stud and free to rotate therein is the shaft F which carries the hand F the hand is secured to'the shaft by a frictional engagement. Upon the back of the dial are two concentric rings f and f strikes one of the pins G and rotates the dial. To prehas lifted the lock M. Coins of a single size alone will f 5 and f 6 (Figs. 2 and 7), which are connected to the circuit, make contact with the rings f and f The dial is divided into any number of sections, ten being the number in the present-instance; and in the center of each section on the outer-periphery is a radial pin G. Bygearing the shaft F, which carries the hand, directly to the armature shaft, and mounting the dial for movement independent of the hand, no additional friction is interposed to the operation of the meter, and when running on a, circuit in which few lights are burning, this becomes a matter of importance. I a

u A piece I having a handle J slides horizontally in the frame H and carries a spring-pressed arm J .When the slide I is moved to the right (Fig; 1), the arm .1-

vent the dial from being moved through a greater angular distance than that between two of the pins at each movement of the sliding piece, and to hold the dial in place, a friction device is employed, consisting of a pivoted lever K, controlled by the spring K. If

for any reason the dial moves too farfthe outer end of lever K engagingwith one of the pins will return the dial to the proper position and hold it by reason of the frictional engagement therewith. The right-hand end, of the lever is so positioned with respect to the dial that it will engage with the periphery thereof, and the friction between the parts is sufficient to prevent the dial from moving except under the action of the coinslide I.

At the upper end of the frame H is a coin chute'L connecting with the slot J in which the slide J travels. To the right of the coin chute, and extending intothc slot, is a combined coin gage and locking device M, standing normally in the position shown. Upon the front of the frame His a flat spring N to which is secured a beveled pin N (Figs; 1 and 4), which is struck by a bevel surfaced on the slide J, when the latter moves forward. By this arrangement the coin O cannot be withdrawn by a string or. similar means after the coin render the meter operative. If too large, the coins cannot of course be fed through the chute. Too small a coin will not lift the lock M, and hence the 'end of slide J will strike the lock and cannot move far enough forward to rotate the. dial. The locking device serves as a coin gage, and is not injured by hammering with the sliding piece J, as the blow will be received by the end of the lock and the gage remain unchanged bywear or otherwise.

On the back side of the meter, and communicating 105 with the slot J is a receptacle J receiving the coins after they have actuated'the locking device.

The arrangement of'the dial and the hand is such that the consumer can by inspection readily ascertain the amount of energy which remains to his credit; this is an 1 10 l insulated base I, and closes the electric circuit; through the fixed contact l. Thespring V tends toifl hold the switch in the open position.

Onthe outer surface of the switch is a locking device consisting of a plate P (Figs. 2 and 5); this is pivoted to the switchhlade at its .lower end, P, and is held in the position shown by springP Situated-shove the con; tact P and insulated -thereirom,fis a spring catch Q, which engages with the-piste P and holds the switch P in its closed position. Pivoted. on the left of the r frame H is a lever B (Figs. 2 and 3), employed to release the switch locking device. Pivoted upon a hase R (Fig. 5), is a lever B provided with an armature R atg its lowerend, and a link R at its upper and connecting it with the relessing lever R. A spring Rf is employed to return. the parts'to the position shown To actuate the armature R an electric magnet Sis employed, and is mounted upon the frame H. Y

The action of the'releasing mGChBIIlBIH- is as: follows:

When the magnet is energized, it attracts'the anna- 39 ,ture- R an'dJmotion is transmitted tothe pivoted relever R through the lever and link R"; this causes the free end oithe lever R'to move the springpressed plate P out of engagement with the spring catch Q, and the switch P opens under the action 'of the spring V. As soon as the magnet is tie-energized, the

spring R returns the relewing mechanismto the position shown in the figures, and the meter is in readiness to receive a coin or token.

v in Fig. 7 the circuit connections are shown; a and 39 bindicate the supply mains, a and b the auxiliary mains supplying current to. lamps c. The fieldgcoil's A of the meter are connected in'series circuit with? the main a,- -and the armature B is coupled. in shunt. across the'mains a and b.

, To reduce the current flowing'in the armature cirwit, a. resistance'l isemployed, which iaplaced .in an envelop T (Fig. '1) and mounted-outlier back of the meter casing. To compensate for irictionoi the mov; ing parts, an auxiliary field coil A is employed, which i 5'0 is connected in serieswith the armature. Connected I with the binding posts U, U are the terminals of the magnet S1 .The brush f 6 is connected to the binding post U, and. brush .f to terminal P "lhe switch P is in the negative side of the circuit, and-whenin the open position the meter-circuit is. interrupted, as well as that oi the lights.

The operation of the meter is as follows: the coin or. token 0; on heinginsertedthrough the slot L, drops into the position. shown (Fig. l); the slide-S so is thenmoveri to the'right, andfthe coin raisefliths endpi the locking device M,'.perrnitting the slide to' move to a point where the arm]? will strike oneoi on the dl.8 l,"2qil1 advance it one. division. 7

At the same" time the bevel surface J on the slide raises the beveled endoi the pin, N (FigQ-); when' the the pins G some;

slide is withdrawn, the pin N springs back into place, and prevents the removal of the coin. The pin N coin back through the passageway to the chute. Simultaneously with the advanci of the dial tlnl circuit isclosed, :for the L-shaped piece J strikes the switch blade Pand forces it against the fixed terminal I, and the spring catch Q holds the switch in the closed position. The consumer may now 'turn on thedarnps c, and current will be supplied thereto lio r one thousand watt hours, that being the equivalent of one section or; division on the dial. As herein described each division on the dial represents a thousand watt hours, but this-may be varied at will; and-if desired the meter may not register in watt units,v but in ampere or volt hours. As soon as the hand arrives at a point where the silver contact f 4 bridges the fixed "contacts f f a'circuit is established from terminal P brush 1', contact fingf, contact f by silver contact j" to contact ff", tozn'ng f, brush. f binding post U; magnet S, binding post U, to main a. This fjenergizes the magnet, which attracts its annature and moves the-lever tothe leit, releasing the plate P from the spring cat c'h Q. The'switch P then is thrown open by the spring Y, and the circuit of the lamps c is openeduntil the consumer again inserts a'coin-in ;the slot, and actuates the slide to rotate the dialstill "further forward.

'rwin advance the dial, but will have no iurth'er effect on the switch mechanism.

v The present meter. is designedto receive from one to departing irom the spirit oionr: invention. Assuming "that-the maximum is ten coins at a given time, and an ,extra coin .is inserted, the dial will be-advanced as .lieiore, but the contacts f will engage with the. hand on the oppositeside from contact f and carry 'it along with them. nos will do no injury to the ineter, as the hand is secured to its spindle hy a fric- :tlOllfl-L engagemenn butthe extra coin. will be lost by ;the consumer. I

,ters-latent' of the United States is,

, l. Inaprepayment. electric meter, 'the combination of a switch, a-"fleld coll, an armature acted upon. by the coil, a movable dial, a coin-controlled device adapted to en gage, and move the switch and the dial, a. pointer which ,moves over 'the dial, contacts on the dial, and contacts carried bythe pointer adapted to engage the dial contracts. 2. In a prepayment electric meter, the combination of a manually-actuated coin-controlled switch for closing the cor' surnption circuit, an indicator for indicating the watt energy consumed in the load circuit, a'recordlng dial, a manually-actuated device'for adjusting the dial with respectto the indicutor snd closing the switch, ianragnet dial, und'operative connections between said magnetnnd said switch for opening sold-switch.-

3. In "8 prepnyment electric meter, the combination of an indicator, a mossole dlel, n cola-controlled device for rm vhzig thediah contnctscarried by the dial, a magnet in will cross the slot and makeit impossible to draw a By the arrangement shown, a number of coins can Y'ten coins at a time, out this maybe changed without What we claim as'newsnd desireto secure by Letfcontrolled byshc relatlvemovement of the indicator and.

Qclrised; inserting more coins and actuating-the-slide circuit with the contacts, and means controlled by the :indicatorfor completing the circuit through the magnet.

4 In a. coin-controlled electric meter, the combination and theelement by moving the dial, and means for inter- -rupting.the load circuit when the rotation of said element brings said elementand the dial into a predetermined rela- I 5. In a coin-controlled electric meter, the combination ot'an indicator arranged to rotate at a speed corresponding to the consumption of energy in the consumer's circuit, a circuit-closing switch, a dial mounted for step-by- -step rotary movement, contacts on the dial, means for establishing electrical connection between the contacts and the source of supply, a magnet in circuit with said contacts, means actuated by the indicator-cooperating with said contacts for closing. the circuit through the magnet and'operative connections between said magnet and said circuit-closing switch for opening said swi ig h.

6. In a prepayment electric metefifthe combination 0! an armature actuated by the energy consumed in the metered circuit, a switch for closing the cir cuit, a spring for moving the switch in one direction independent of its actuator, anindicator positively connected to the armature, a dial .mounted for movement independent of the indicator, coin-controlled means for moving the dial away from. the indicator and closing-the switch as a coin is fed into the meter; the arrangement of the indicator" and dial being such that the indicator moves in the same direction I as the dial, so thatthe diflierence in position between the indicator and zero on .the dial indicates the amount of energy remaining to the creditof the consumer. v

7. In a prepayment electric metering system, a consumption circuit, a switch for opening and closing said circuit an element moving in response to the energy consumption in said circuit, a second element, coin-controlled means for closing said switch and moving said second element, a circuit derived from the consumption circuit tor controlling the release of said switch, and means carried by said &

coln-actuator' for moving one of said elements and the SW1tCh,'8.i1d a switch-releasing magnet controlled by the contacts.

9. In an electric metering system, the combination with a consumption circuit, of an element, coin-controlled means for giving said element step-by-step movements in one direction, means for positively limiting each movement of the element, a second element moving in response to the energy consumption of the consumption circuit, and circfiit closingnieans carried by said elements said circuit closing means becoming operative when'said elements are in apredeterminedposition with respect to each other. 10. In a prepayment mechanism, the combination of a rotary disk which moves always in the same direction, a

manually actuated slide, a spring-pressed arm carried by the slide and arranged to move the disk on the movement of the slide in one direction only, a pointer which follows the movements of the disk,'circuit closing means carried by the pointer and disk, said circuit closing means being operated, by a movement of the pointer into a predetermined position with respect to the disk.

11. In a prepayment mechanism-the combination of a coin or token controlled actuator, a combined coin gage and lock acting on the end of the actuator, and a spring and pin carried thereby and situated in the path of the coin for preventing the withdrawal of the coin or token.

12. In a prepayment'electric meteringsystem, a consumption circuit, aswitchjin said clrcuit,-coin-controlied means for closing said switch, a locking plate carried by the switch, a magnet, a pivoted armature therefor, a

lever actuated by the armature for moving the locking plate in a manner to release the switch, and means for energizing said magnet from the consumption circuit.

13. Ina prepayment mechanism, the combination of a dislr loosely mounted for angular movement, coin-controlled means for imparting a step-by-step movement thereto, a device which engages with the disk and limits the movement of each step tothe proper amount, a pointer, contacts on the disk and pointer, and means for moving the contacts into operative relation. 7

In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands this 22d day of May 1897.

FRANK P. COX. I AUGUSTUS A. BALL.

' Witnesses:

HENRY O. WESTENDARP, JOHN W. GIBBONEY. 

